Corsica, called "The Island of Beauty", is a real "mountain in the sea". It is one of the largest islands in the western Mediterranean; after Sicily and Sardinia. The island has an area of approximately 8,700 km2 with about 1,000 km of coastline.
Its highest point is Monte Cinto (2,710 metres). It is only 25 kilometres from the sea!
The west coast of the island is the most indented, as it is very exposed to the prevailing winds. There are many deep gulfs on this coast.
To the east, the shoreline is more linear: there is the long, flat stretch of coastline of the eastern plain.
Corsica enjoys:
- an international marine park: classified in 1999, it covers an area of 79,000 hectares. It corresponds to the French part of the Corsica-Sardinia International Marine Park, a project running since 1995.
- natural reserves: Scandola, Finocchiarola, Biguglia, Cerbicale, Bouches de Bonifacio and Tre Padule of Suartone.
- a regional nature park of approximately 350,500 hectares, i.e. almost 40% of the island. The Corsican Environment Office is responsible for the management of the park.
The beauty of the island has resulted in an intensive tourist business. This has motivated the development of the territory to make it accessible: there are international airports and ports in the four corners of Corsica (Bastia, Ajaccio, Calvi, Porto-Vecchio, etc.).
Corsican tourism offers a range of activities:
- The sea and aquatic activities (scuba diving, sailing, jet-skiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, etc.)
- The mountain and its varied leisure activities (skiing, hiking, horse riding or mountain biking, GR20, canyoning, climbing, etc.)
- Gastronomy (cold meats, wines, cheeses, fruits, meats, honey of controlled origin, beers, pastries, etc.)
- Corsican cities and their tumultuous heritage after numerous invasions.
- Would you like to know more about Corsica and prepare your trip? Our partner, the ATC (Corsica Tourist Agency) provides you with an Internet site rich in information
